Investigation: 12

“Lucky” trait re-roll:  16

(OOC: As far as my tinker tools go, yeah. They’re in my foot locker. After running across all these weird items I want to keep them with me at all times. Next time I’m at my locker I’ll snag them and attach them to my belt.)

Quill flinches away from the priestess' grasp, now quite uncomfortable with this whole situation.

"I don't know. I only saw him earlier today for a moment!" he says.

"I am from the Second Sun Temple that he is in charge of. Or was, before it closed down."

I need to leave this place, Quill thinks.

Esvaris

I greet my friends, but I tell them I would like to get to know some of the Basilica leadership, so I won't be able to sit with them for this meal. I then search out some important-looking people to sit by. 

Esvaris: You see that the door at the far end of the common room is open, leading into a comfortable room with a lit fire place, a thick stuffed couch and two arm chairs.  At a beautifully carved table surrounded by several high backed chairs are seated Dawnlord Menges, and a black man with braided black and grey hair pulled into a knot at the nape of his neck, and a blonde man with cunning eyes and expensive looking clothing who resembles Dawnlord Menges quite a bit.  They are speaking together in a relaxed manner, as if they've known each other a long time.  While you are greeting Demoiselle, Friar Bernard enters the rectory and joins the men in the other room.  Sister Naphtali, herself, begins bringing in their evening meal on silver platters that appears to be a much more elaborate meal than what is being served to everyone in the common room.

Korlan: After fiddling with the locket for a moment you think that the rays of the sun are intended to move somehow, but it feels like they might break if you force them.

Quill: Disappointment is obvious in her expression.  She rises again and suggests that it's time for you to return to the basilica.  After getting dressed again, she walks with you as far as the long rectangular fountain in the main entrance and bids you good night.  You have the strong sense that you just avoided a dangerous situation simply by virtue of your ignorance of matters at the basilica.

Esvaris

I get the feeling I won't be welcome in that room. Nevertheless, after Sister Naphtali leaves, I will go the the doorway, and say to Dawnlord Menges, "Dawnlord, I want to express my appreciation for welcoming us to your Basilica. You have made this a most effective place to better ourselves and worship The Goddess." I will take a quick scan of the faces, bow to them, and leave, unless they want to talk to me.

Quill says his goodbyes and leaves, making his way back to the basilica.

Quill arrives back at the basilica just as the guards are shutting one of the two main gates.  The sun is riding low in the sky.  There are three strong guards working together to shut the enormous wooden door.  The other side will be left open until ninth bell curfew.

Esvaris: As you approach the door you hear them speaking.

Menges, looking skeptical says, "I still simply do not understand how he could have left the basilica.  The gate was locked by that time and he is not strong enough to open it."

The man with braided hair nods in agreement, "And when I spoke to the Solar Guard he said that he didn't leave his post at the Holy Gate all night.  Emeritus never even entered the atrium."  

Slicked back blonde hair not moving at all as he shakes his head in frustration, the man who looks like Menges says sarcastically, "I suppose he simply flew out, then?"

Pouring ale into a mug, Sister Naphtali scoffs, "He's a cleric, not a wizard.  He can't fly.  And you know that teleportation spells don't work within the walls of the basilica."

When you stand in the doorway and speak, Lord Menges first looks surprised and annoyed, and then pleased with your expression of gratitude. He encourages you to work hard at your duties and your endeavors to know Usoara better now that you are in a real temple, not some backwater.  Then he introduces you to Brother Annan, the head of the scriptorium, and to Menges' older brother, Duke Atterley, who, though unfortunately not a cleric of Usoara, is the second ranking member of the Wickham council. You sense a note of mockery in his voice when he mentions that his brother is not a cleric and Duke Atterley's mouth pinches tight in controlled anger.  After the introductions, Sister Naphtali asks you to close the door as you leave.

Esvaris

I would like to bow specifically to Duke Atterly, "Pleased to meet you, your grace. I would not have imagined a duke such as yourself would stay at the Basilica with us humble Clerics of our lady.?"

Esvaris: Duke Atterley, looking slightly affronted that a mere novice has addressed him, narrows his eyes at you. Dawnlord Menges answers you, instead, "Of course he doesn't stay here.  The basilica only houses clerics." He shoots a cutting sideways glance at his older brother to see if the subtle barb hit home. "Duke Atterley lives in our ancestral home with our father, Lord Atterley, not far from Sir Gable's mansion."  He nods to dismiss you from their presence, clearly signaling that the conversation is at an end.

Esvaris

I bow awkwardly once more and take my leave. Then I will get some food and sit next to Korlan.

Korlan

I get with Esvaris prior to the rest of the group. I pull out the locket and note to show Esvaris. “I found this locket in here with the note.” I lie to keep Emungo’s secret. “Far as I can tell, the rays on the locket move, but seem very fragile. I’ve tried all sorts of things, and judging by the not it should open.”

Quill slips through the other gate and into the building, heading for the sleeping quarters.

Esvaris, to Korlan

"Hmmm.... Want me to give it a go?"

OOC: What bell was the most recent to ring?

(It's almost 7th bell, ending dinner hour, however Simeon never said what he was doing after arriving in the library, so he'll need to fill in the gap time)

Korlan to Esvaris 

I do one more check of the locket trying to sense any magical powers.

Arcana: 2

I hand over the locket to Esvaris. “I left my tinker tools back in my footlocker. Those may help later, but if you want to try to get it open now, give it a go. I’m going to keep this stuff in here for now until I find a better spot.” 

Esvaris

"Okay, I'll try."

OOC: Esvaris doesn't know this, but he can't roll higher than 19 on investigation, less than the 21 Korlan already got. Should I make a check?

Esvaris fiddles with the locket briefly, but doesn't come up with any new solutions.

Quill: As you slip through the gate you notice that the surly guard from this morning is back on duty, but alone this time, at the smaller Holy Gate.  In the sleeping quarters you find a round faced novice initiate with shaggy brown hair attempting to go to bed early because he has a "big day tomorrow, what with the novice initiation ceremony and all". His name is Warrel.  He seems nervous and extremely frustrated as, no matter how he yanks and tugs the sheet on his bed, it just doesn't seem right.  He declares he's going to give whoever is on laundry duty a "piece of my mind" tomorrow for shrinking his sheets in the wash!

Korlan does not see any arcane markings on the locket.

Korlan

I'll be in bed under the covers, but still clothed, just before the 9th bell. My tinker tools and thieves tools are now attached to my belt. I will be waiting for Esvaris to sneak out. I’ll be right behind him. We need to get to the meeting spot before the 10th bell.

Esvaris

I'll keep practicing with the glaive blade until almost ninth bell. Then I will also go to bed, making a big fuss about how my bed sheets are also messed up, "Oh, come on now, who could have done this? So childish! No respect! Just wait 'till I get my hands on them!" I make a really big deal about it, until I'm sure everyone knows I am a victim. Then I change out of my armor and go to bed, making sure to stay awake and keep track of time so I can sneak out just before tenth bell.

Do I see any of the important people I met earlier go and occupy the private room at the end of the dormitory?